Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Author Brian Selznick likes R-hand shaped signs such as
RULES, an R-lettered word I can't recall, and SARCASTIC (huh? Yep, I think he
was just on a roll naming his favorite signs by that point). He does not care
for signs on or around the nose liked BORED or FLOWER. How do I know this, you
ask? Brian Selznick is at Gallaudet University taking an ASL course. *Insert
professional Squeal here*

When I interviewed him in January, I did so via email since he was traveling
for the premiere of the movie Hugo. Yesterday was the first time I actually *met*
him in person. After arranging to meet for lunch, I bumped into him that
morning in the student center while he was studying with a group of ASL
students. Instantly it felt like we were old friends hugging for a greeting and
laughing from the start. Our lunch date, which I call it that because he IS my
current professional crush, would include a juicy insider tip which he quickly
noted that I could not blog about... But he didn't say I couldn't blog about
not blogging about it so HA Brian Selznick! There! I am NOT telling your
secret! To be fair, I told him a little something I wouldn't want him to share
either plus I asked for the biggest favor ever and he said no! *gasp* Even
after I told him who the girl is in the statue in front of campus **Spoiler
Alert for new ASL students doing their homework... Her name is Alice ;p**

Even without promising to take me to any future Oscar red carpet events, I still like this
guy! I showed him Gallaudet's infamous "coffin door" after making him
climb over a small wall in 90 degree weather. I was in a dress and completely
forgot I was a tenured professor and should be acting professional. Selznick
looked like any other student-- Gallaudet jacket and Gallaudet hat. He only
wore the hat outdoors for the picture. I would like to say that I talked him
into posing Nosferatu-style in front of the coffin door because I teach a vampire course but really I just like people to pose silly for pictures. After
several *cool* pictures, he fell for my charm (read that as I badgered him into
it) and posed.

When I asked him why he was taking ASL classes I wondered if it had something
to do with his book Wonderstruck. In
fact, it did! After doing research, he has made some close friends who are Deaf
and he said he really just wants to communicate with his friends (and potential
new friends) using ASL. He talked about the importance of the Deaf Community
and Deaf Culture... And again I would like to emphasize my professional crush. *Insert
professional Squeal here* For most of our conversation, Selznick used ASL. For
a writer of English and a new signer, he seems oddly comfortable using his
non-native language.

Selznick is already working on another book but it is probably too soon to tell
if a Deaf Character will sneak his or her way into his writing. *crosses
fingers* After the success of Wonderstruckand a literal world wind adventure of Hugo the movie, he doesn't have much *time
off* so for him to decide to learn ASL on his free time says something about his character; for him
to come to Gallaudet for a two week intensive ASL course... Well, that reveals
just a little bit more I would think.

He's fun; his books are fun; he's extremely down to earth and humble (He didn't
even tell his ASL class peers he was THE Brian Selznick!). And I hope, hope,
hope we'll cross paths in the future.

100+ BOOKS and COUNTING LIST (CLICK PICTURE)

_____234 BOOKS ___________ Titles are added as I find them. This is NOT a comprehensive list. I include books that I consider "contemporary" and usually do not include out-of-print or unavailable titles. Sharon Pajka, Ph.D. yadeafcharacters@ gmail.com

New Children's Books with Deaf Characters! (click KIDS ZONE picture)

Adolescent Deaf Characters

Acquiring fictional books that include deaf characters can be time-consuming and challenging for teachers and librarians. The research examining deaf characters in fiction is extremely limited and most of the recent articles focus on children’s literature-- specifically picture books. I hope this Blog assists teachers in recommending books with characters with whom our students can relate. I also hope this Blog assists in recommending books with multiple realities of the D/deaf human experience.

While my primary focus is adolescent and Young Adult chapter books, I will add information about children's literature and adult 'cross-over' texts from time to time.